Chapter 1489. To authorize the Apalachicola and Northern Railway to construct and maintain a bridge across the Apalachicola River and the East Saint Mary River
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CHAP. 1489.— An Act To authorize the Apalachicola and Northern Railway to construct and maintain a bridge across the Apalachicola River and the East Saint Mary River. March 3, 1905. [[H. R. 19178](/us/bill/58/hr/19178).] [[Public, No. 222](/us/pl/58/222).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, Apalachicola and East Saint Mary rivers, Fla.Apalachicola and Northern Railway may bridge. That the Apalachicola and Northern Railway, a corporation created and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Florida, he, and is hereby, authorized to construct and maintain a railroad bridge across the Apalachicola River in the southwest quarter of section twenty-two, in township eight south, range eight west, and across the East Saint Mary River, a branch of the Apalachicola River, in the southwest quarter of section six, in township eight south, range seven west, in Franklin County, in the State of Florida.
Sec. 2. Drawbridges. That said bridges shall be constructed with a draw, so that a free and unobstructed passage may be secured to all vessels and other water craft navigating said rivers. Sec. 3. Lawful structures and post routes. That any bridge built under this Act and subject to its limitations shall be a lawful structure, and shall be recognized and known as a post route, upon which also no higher charge shall be made for the transmission over the same of the mails, the troops, and the munitions of war of the United States, or passengers or freight passing over said bridges, than the rate per mile paid for the transportation Telegraph, etc., rights.over the railroads leading to said bridges, and equal privileges in the use of said bridges shall be granted to ail telegraph and telephone companies; and the United States shall have the, right of way for postal telegraph and telephone purposes across said bridges, without charge therefor.
Sec. 4. Secretary of War to approve plans, etc. That any bridge authorized to be constructed under this Act shall be built and located under and subject to such regulations for the security of navigation of said rivers as the Secretary of War shall prescribe, and to secure that object the said corporation shall submit to the Secretary of War, for his examination and approval, a design and drawing and a map of location of each bridge: and until the said plans and locations of the bridges are approved by the Secretary of War the bridges shall not be commenced or built, and should any Changes.change be made in the plans of either of said bridges during the process of construction, such change shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, and any change that may be required by the Secretary of War in either of said bridges after their completion, shall be made by the corporation or persons owning or operating said bridges, at their own expense.
Sec. 5. Opening draws. That the draws of the bridges herein authorized to be constructed shall be opened promptly upon reasonable signal for the passing of boats; and said corporation shall maintain, at its own expense, Lights.from sunset to sunrise, such lights or other signals on said bridges as the Light-House Board shall prescribe. Sec. 6. Use by other companies. That all railroad companies desiring the use of said bridges shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges relating to the passage of railway trains over the same and over the approaches Compensation.thereto upon the payment of reasonable compensation therefor; and in case the owner or owners of said bridges and the railroad company or companies desiring to use the same shall fail to agree upon the terms with reference to the use of same all matters at issue between them shall be decided by the Secretary of War upon a hearing of the allegations and proofs of the parties.
Sec. 7. Amendment. That the right to alter or amend this Act is hereby expressly reserved. Sec. 8. Time of construction. That this Act shall be null and void unless the bridges herein authorized are commenced within one year and completed within three years from the date of approval hereof. Approved, March 3, 1905.